KWS-X: The SAXS/WAXS Laboratory Beamline

X-ray source
Excillum’s MetalJet D2+
• Ga anode 250W 70kV 3,57 mA 20×80 μm
• Flux
~2.45×10⁹ ph/s Full beam model;
~ 6.16×10⁸ ph/s High Flux (HF) model;
~ 8.09×10⁷ ph/s High Resolution (HR);
~ 1.77×10⁶ ph/s Ultra High Resolution (UHR)
Aux Copper micro focus source
X-ray beam focusing channel
• Flux
~ 1.8×10⁸ ph/s High Flux (HF) model;
~ 6.09×10⁷ ph/s High Resolution (HR)

Optics and Collimation
• FOX 3D Galium multilayer optics
• Slightly focusing optics
• Four motorized independent blades per set of slits (S1, S2 and S3)
• S1 + S3: Collimation length> 1.9 m (Sample chamber or BioCUBE)
• S1 + S2: Collimation length> 1.3 m (XL position)

SAXS Detector: Dectris Eiger2R 4M
• Pixel Size: 75× 5 µm²
• 4,5 Million pixels
• Sensitive Area: 155×163 [mm²]
• Modules (W x H): 2×4
• Countrate capability: 10⁷ ph/s/pixel
• Q-Xoom: in-vacuum moving detector
• Sample to detector distance > 1.8 m

WAXS Detector: Dectris Eiger2R 500K
• Pixel Size: 75 × 75 µm²
• 4-axis motorized WAXS for simultaneous 2D WAXS measurements

BONSE-HART USAXS
• Monochromator: 2-bounce Bartels Si(111)
• Analyzer: 4-bounce Si(111) channel cut crystals

Wide Q range
• SAXS: 0.0015 Å^-1 < q < 5 Å^-1
• USAXS: q_min < 0.0002 Å^-1
• WAXS: q_max > 7 Å^-1

High flux and lower background level
• Possible for time-resolved experiments in second level
• Allow low concentration samples

Three main measurement positions with maximum flexibility
• Sample chamber, BioCUBE and XL position
• Measurements in vacuum or in air
• Modular conversion of various settings Sample chamber/BIOCUBE/XL
• Plenty of space for large sample environment.

In-line sample visualization
• 2xCCTV in-line camera + 3 overview camera + 1 endoscope
• Machine vision technology

Standard sample holders
• 27 positions 1.5 mm capillary holder
• 27 positions 2.0 mm capillary holder
• 25 positions Solids sample holder
• 61 positions Solids sample holder
• 15 positions powder/gel sample holder
• 8 positions powder/gel capsule sample holder (0.5 mm and 1 mm spacer)

Temperature controlled sample holders
• Multi-purpose Temperature Stage (-30 – +150°C)
• Multi-refillable capillary holder with temperature control (-10°C to +80°C)
• Linkam temperature stage MFS350 (capillaries & flat cells, -150 to +350°C)
• Linkam extended high temperature sample stage (RT to 1000°C)

Flow cells
• Low Noise flow cell (SiN windows)
• Glass capllary flow cell (ID from 1 mm to 4 mm)
• Polyconbonate capllary flow cells (ID 2 mm)
• BioCUBE flow cell Assembly & cleaning pump system & HPLC connection

Shear and Rheo-SAXS
• Linkam Shear Cell System (-50 to 350°C)
• Anton paar Rheometer- Polyconbonate double cylinder shearing system

Tensile
• Linkam Modular Force Stage

Surface and interface
• Standard and advanced GISAXS/GIWAXS module

Humidity control
• Xenocs Humidity control and generator (1 RH% to 95 RH%)

Magnetic field
• Permanent magnet (Halbach) arrays > 0.6 T

UV/Vis
• In-line UV/Vis spectrometer for BioCUBE

Raman
• In-line Raman spectrometer for capillary solution sample

pH control
• Metrohm Trtrtion system and reaction cell, pH-counter ion control system

BIOSAXS system
• BioXolver and Cart for auto sample loading robot plus capillary flow cells

SEC-SAXS
• In line SEC-SAXS set up by conbination of a HPLC system and the BioCUBE flow cell

Electrochemical Cell Characterization-SAXS-WAXS
• Biologic Sp-300 Potentiostat + Electrochemical Cell

Add-ons
• Linkam T96 controller and Lquid Nitrogen pump
• XL Large sample environment station, capacity > 100 kg
• Additional rotation capability for the XL- XZ table
• mT Jumping and stopped flow/ UV-Vis/ Fluorescence
• Biologic BCS-900 battery cycler

More sample environments from our neutron instrument can be shared with our neutron sample environments. Users can also bring their own sample environment.

Lab Equipments

• MIG-O-MAT Lötstar 141: Micro Soldering and Welding Unit for capillary sealing
• Julabo F25-HE refrigerated circulator
• IKA VORTEX 3 and accessories
• Reglo ICC Digital Peristaltic Pump
• Micro Hämatokrit (capillary) centrifuge
• Laboratory refrigerator
• Variomag Mini Stirrer
• PC 3001 VARIOproVARIO chemistry pumping unit
• Metrohm pH Meter 913
• IKA magnetic stirrer with heating
• Ultrasonic cleaner 100 W 1.2 l
• Analysis balance 0.0001g- 210 g (max.)

Life, Medical & Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Biomolecules: Structures, interactions, and in-situ folding/aggregation of proteins and nucleic acids;
• Drug Delivery & Antibodies: Nanostructure of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs), liposomes, vesicles, and antibody-antigen complexes;
• Pharmaceuticals: API polymorphism and crystallization kinetics in amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs);
• Biomaterials: Nanoscale organization in collagen, chitosan, and tissue scaffolds.

Polymers & Soft Matter
• Crystallization & Mechanics: In-situ tracking of semi-crystalline polymers under thermal or tensile stress;
• Self-Assembly: Microphase separation and phase transitions in block-copolymers and liquid crystals;
• Complex Fluids: Nanostructures of micelles, microemulsions, surfactants, colloids, and hydrogels.

Energy & Catalysis
• Batteries: In-situ tracking of electrode structural evolution and SEI formation during cycling;
• Electrolytes: Ion-channel networks and microphase separation in solid-state batteries;
• Solar Cells: Crystallization and morphology of perovskite and OPV films via GISAXS/GIWAXS;
• Catalysis: Nanoparticle sizing, active site dispersion, and support pore structures.

Advanced Materials, Nanotech & Semiconductors
• Optoelectronics: Quantum dot sizing/spacing and mesoporous low-k dielectric films;
• Porous Frameworks: Pore structures in MOFs/COFs, aerogels, silica foams, and cements;
• Composites & Films: Nanoparticle dispersion and structural alignment in membranes and coatings;
• Metals & Alloys: Nanoscale precipitates, phase kinetics, and structural defects.

Food Science, Cosmetics & Consumer Goods
• Emulsions: Size and stability of dairy fat globules and cosmetic formulations;
• Carbohydrates: Crystalline and lamellar structures in hydrated starches and polysaccharides;
• Gel Networks: Structural evolution of oleo-gelators and food protein interactions;
• Personal Care: Nanoscale organization of skin lipid bilayers and treated hair keratin.

Earth & Environmental Sciences
• Geomaterials: Hierarchical pores in shale rocks and soils for carbon capture (CCUS);
• Clay Minerals: Swelling behavior and interlayer spacing under variable humidity and pressure.

The KWS-X SAXS-WAXS beamline invites applications from universities, research institutes, and industries worldwide. There are currently three ways to apply:

• Via MLZ Neutron Scattering Proposal: When submitting a neutron scattering beamtime proposal through the MLZ system, you can also apply to use the KWS-X SAXS-WAXS beamline as an additional method in the Ghost system. If your neutron proposal is accepted and there are no technical issues, your KWS-X application will also be approved.

• Direct Application Through Collaboration: You may apply directly for KWS-X beam time in collaboration (Dr. Baohu Wu email: ba.wu@fz-juelich.de). It is recommended to consult with the instrument manager before applying. Once approved, the experiment can be conducted remotely by mailing samples or performed on-site.

• For Industrial Users: Industrial users are welcome to contact us directly to apply for access to the instruments.
We warmly welcome industrial users to apply for instrument time and utilize our state-of-the-art SAXS/WAXS facility. We are highly open to joint research, R&D collaborations, and providing tailored analytical solutions for your engineering challenges.
We invite you to collaborate with us in the following areas (including but not limited to):
• Biopharma: LNP formulation & drug delivery stability.
• Pharmaceuticals: API dispersion & solid formulation stability.
• Energy & Batteries: In-situ cycling & catalyst pore analysis.
• Polymers & Plastics: Tensile crystallization & filler dispersion.
• Food & Cosmetics: Emulsion stability & shelf-life prediction.
Whatever your R&D needs may be, we look forward to working together to accelerate your product innovation. Please feel free to contact us (Dr. Baohu Wu email: ba.wu@fz-juelich.de) to discuss your specific projects!